And where in the world were her keys?
5
Unanswered Prayers
“UM . . .” REID BEGAN, BUT JUDGING BY THE SUDDEN frown on her pretty face he was quickly wearing out his welcome. Instead of introducing himself, Reid decided he should probably take a hike before she pulled mace out of the big purse she was frantically digging around in. Odd, but Reid usually avoided small talk and now he remembered why. After glancing back toward Wine and Diner, she stopped in back of a sweet red Mustang convertible with California plates. Taking in the details, he now noticed her designer bag and that she’d slipped a pair of Gucci sunglasses over her big brown eyes. And although she was casually dressed in jeans and a lightweight lavender sweater, her watch looked expensive and she wore a diamond tennis bracelet that glittered in the sunshine. Great . . . She probably really wasn’t interested in talking to a country boy like him, anyway. Feeling foolish followed by a little bit irritated, he took a step backward. “Um, I should get going. Good luck with, you know . . . everything.”
She glanced up and flipped her shiny black hair over her shoulder. She was really pretty, and Reid found himself wondering about her family heritage.
“So, when is the wedding?”
Wait . . . huh? “Wedding? What wedding?”
“Your wedding.” She pushed her sunglasses up higher on her nose and waited for his answer. “Isn’t that why I’m the answer to your prayers?” She tilted her head slightly and the breeze played with her hair, making it caress her face.
Reid looked at her while trying to form an answer, but all he could think about was that the answer to his prayers would be to reach over and brush the hair from her face . . . pull her into his arms and kiss her.
Kiss her? What in the hell was coming over him? Maybe he was spending too much time in the sun.
Luckily a honking horn startled him back into thinking somewhat straight, but he took another step backward so that she was out of reach, just to play it safe. “No, I’m not getting married.” Reid shook his head as if the very idea was ludicrous. “I value my independence way too much,” he added, but then realized he was once again giving her more information than she probably wanted to know. He cleared his throat and tried to sound businesslike. “No, my sister has this wild idea to turn one of our old barns into a reception hall and host weddings on our farm, beginning with her own.” Reid shoved his fingers through his hair and shook his head. “It would mean sinking a lot of her savings into the venture and I’m not sure it’s a sound idea. I’d be interested in hiring a consultant, hopefully to dissuade her from going through with it.” When she remained silent he stuck out his hand. “By the way, I’m Reid Greenfield.”
She took his hand and gave him a firm handshake. “Addison Monroe. It’s nice to meet you, Reid.”
Reid smiled, enjoying the feel of her small hand in his and hearing his name on her lips. There was something familiar about her, something that tugged at the back of his brain but he couldn’t put his finger on it. “So, am I going to be your first customer?”
“Well, we’re putting the cart before the horse. I’m heading over with Mia to look at the shop, but as much as I’m interested, I’m not one hundred percent sure that I’m actually going to do the venture without more thought and research. Although I do have to say that Mia is very persuasive.”
Reid dug his wallet out of his back pocket and fished out one of his business cards. He appreciated that Addison was taking the time to consider all aspects of a new business. Hopefully she’d be a good influence on his sister. “This has my e-mail and cell phone number on it. If you go through with the shop, I would appreciate if you’d at least give Sara real numbers as to what it would take to get involved in doing receptions and weddings. It’s not that I’m totally against the idea; I just don’t want to see her lose her hard-earned retirement. I’d be glad to show you the barn and surroundings and then get your opinion. But I want you to err on the side of caution.”
Addison took the card. “I’m hardly an expert.” She glanced at his business card. “And it appears that you have the credentials to advise your sister in business matters.”
“Are you kidding? She won’t listen to me—well, unless you count listening only to try to prove me wrong.” Reid gave her a half-lopsided grin. “Of course, that’s pretty hard to do.”
She tilted her head and chuckled. “I’ll keep you in mind. But like I said, I’m no expert. This whole thing came out of left field.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll do your homework. After all, it’s going to be your business. I just want you to play devil’s advocate so she goes into this with her eyes wide open. I don’t want the barn on our farm to become a money pit and eat up Sara’s retirement.”
“If I go through with this venture, I’ll consider your offer.”
“That’s all I can ask. At any rate, it was nice to meet you, Addison. I wish you the best of luck,” Reid added, and he was about to ask if she’d like to have dinner and talk it over but decided it might be too pushy. She had his card. If she was interested, she’d give him a call. So he turned and walked toward his pickup truck, oddly reluctant to leave her company. His hand was on the door handle when she called out to him.
“Reid?”
He turned around, finding her grinning over at him. “Yeah?” he asked, and couldn’t believe that his pulse kicked up a notch just from seeing her smile.
“Don’t forget the cupcakes!” Addison pointed to the Grammar’s Bakery across the street.
Reid put the heel of his hand to his forehead, and she laughed. “I was going to pull across the street in front of the bakery,” he said, but she only laughed harder.
“Sure you were. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you!” Reid shook his head as he headed across the street to the bakery. It really wasn’t like him to forget to run an errand, especially since he’d been reminded four—well, now, make it five times—but in his defense, Addison had been quite a distraction. He was still thinking over why he was so drawn to someone he had just met when he reached the entrance to the bakery. The bell tinkled over the door as he walked in. Ahhh, he took a deep whiff of the fragrant aroma of brewed coffee and freshly baked goodies.
“Well, if it isn’t Reid Greenfield,” said Mabel Grammar, owner of the bakery. “I declare, I do think you’re even better-lookin’ than the last time I saw you. We sure grown ’em good here in Cricket Creek,” she boasted. “Back home for good, I hope.” She leaned over the counter and held her arms out. “Now get over here and give me some sugar.”
“And you’re lookin’ mighty fine yourself.” Reid walked over to the enticing display of Danish and cookies.
“You talkin’ about me or the cookies? Although I do have some pretty nice buns,” she added with a deep chuckle.
“Both.” After giving Mabel a hug he asked, “What’s your secret—Botox? Come on, Mabel, fess up.”
“Ha! It’s easy: just eat more doughnuts.” She stuck a pose and fluttered her eyelashes. “Keeps the wrinkles in my round face filled in and my bum as big and round as Kim Kardashian’s.”
Reid laughed. Cricket Creek might have gone through some changes in recent years but some things stayed the same. “Well, it looks good on you,” he said, wishing it was as easy to flirt with Addison as it was with Mabel. “I’m here to pick up two dozen cupcakes for Sara.”
“Got them right here,” Mable said, and pulled a box from a shelf. “Decorated with farm animals and vegetables, just like Sara ordered. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Old MacDonald program. Good for Sara for teaching kids about farming. They need to know that not everything is computer generated or made in a factory.”